Apparatus for holding a portable device

Abstract

A method and apparatus for supporting a portable computer appliance. The invention may comprise rotating a computer appliance to convert between mouse-based use and a touch-based use, or other orientations and applications. The apparatus may be attached to a microphone stand or similar mechanism to aid viewing the computer appliance. To assist coordination with public performances, the apparatus may hold and support a computer appliance to display notes, music, video, or other expressions for assisting a performer, such as for public speeches, concerts, plays, stand-up comedy, and the like.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device supporter, comprising:
 a body, including a corrugated engagement panel, a pair of coupling members and a cradling member, each of the coupling members extending from the body, the coupling members configured to couple a portable device to the body in a spring biasing relationship; and 
 an engaging member, configured for releasable engagement with a stand, the engaging member extending substantially orthogonally in relation to the coupling members; 
 wherein the cradling member is integrally situated distally from the coupling members; and 
 wherein the body comprises a D-shaped aperture situated between the corrugated engagement panel and the cradling member. 
 
     
     
       2. The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a plurality of corners and each of the coupling members is situated proximate to one of the corners. 
     
     
       3. The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an aperture situated between the D-shaped aperture and the cradling member. 
     
     
       4. The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling members comprise gripping members extending distally from the body for gripping an exterior surface of the portable device. 
     
     
       5. The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the cradling member engages the portable device in a releasable sliding combination. 
     
     
       6. The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the cradling member is configured to cradle the portable device in a spring biasing relationship. 
     
     
       7. A device supporter, comprising:
 a generally rectangular holder base adapted to hold a portable device, the holder base including a corrugated engagement panel, a pair of coupling members at respective corners of the holder base, and a cradling member; 
 wherein the coupling members extend outward and forward to bend over and form an edge that holds a respective corner of the portable device; and 
 an engaging member, configured for releasable engagement with a stand, the engaging member extending substantially orthogonally in relation to the coupling members; 
 wherein the cradling member is situated distally from the coupling members; and 
 wherein the holder base comprises a D-shaped aperture situated between the corrugated engagement panel and the cradling member. 
 
     
     
       8. The device supporter of  claim 7 , further comprising an attachment apparatus engaged with the engaging member. 
     
     
       9. The device supporter of  claim 8 , further comprising an attachment adapter situated between the attachment apparatus and the engaging member. 
     
     
       10. The device supporter of  claim 7 , wherein the holder base includes a aperture situated between the D-shaped aperture and the cradling member. 
     
     
       11. The device supporter of  claim 7 , wherein the coupling members comprise gripping members extending distally from the body for gripping an exterior surface of the portable device. 
     
     
       12. The device supporter of  claim 7 , wherein the cradling member is configured to cradle the portable device in a spring biasing relationship. 
     
     
       13. The device supporter of  claim 7 , wherein the coupling members are configured to couple a portable device to the body in a spring biasing relationship. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus to support a portable device on a stand, comprising:
 a device supporter comprising a body, including a corrugated engagement panel, a pair of coupling members, an engaging member, and a cradiling member, each of the coupling members extending from the body, the coupling members configured to couple a portable device to the body in a spring biasing relationship; 
 wherein the body comprises a first D-shaped aperture situated between the corrugated engagement panel and the cradling member and a second aperture situated between the first D-shaped aperture and the cradling member; and 
 an attachment adapter secured to the engaging member, the attachment adapter comprising a head portion, an aperture, a flange, and a member interfacing with the device supporter. 
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the attachment adapter is situated between an attachment apparatus and the engaging member and the attachment adapter comprises a slot and ridges. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein a portion of the attachment adapter interfaces with a slot of the attachment apparatus. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the coupling members comprise gripping members extending distally from the body for gripping an exterior surface of the portable device. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the coupling members are configured to couple a portable device to the body in a spring biased relationship.